(a) There is hereby created the Herbert Henderson Office of
Minority Affairs within the office of the Governor. The office
shall be charged with the following responsibilities and duties:

(1) Provide a forum for discussion of issues that affect the
state's minorities;

(2) Identify and promote best practices in the provision of
programs and services to minorities;

(3) Review information and research that can inform state
policy as to the delivery of programs and services to minorities;

(4) Make recommendations in areas of policy and allocation of
resources;

(5) Apply for grants, and accept gifts from private and public
sources for research to improve and enhance minority affairs;

(6) Integrate and coordinate state grant and loan programs
established specifically for minority related issues;

(7) Award grants, loans and loan guaranties for minority
affairs programs and activities in this state if such funds are
available from grants or gifts from public or private sources;

(8) Identify other state and local agencies and programs that
provide services or assistance to minorities;

(9) Establish the appropriate program linkages with related
federal, state and local agencies and programs including, but not
limited to, the Office of Minority Health located within the
Department of Health and Human Resources and the Economic
Development Authority established pursuant to article fifteen, chapter 31 of this Code; and

(10) Provide recommendations to the Governor and the
Legislature regarding the most appropriate means to provide
programs and services to support minority groups in the state.

(b) On or before the first day of January of each year, the
office shall submit a report to the Governor and the Joint
Committee on Government and Finance. The report may include, but
is not limited to, findings and recommendations regarding:

(1) The extent to which programs and services for minorities
are available in the state, and to which funding for providing
those programs and services is available;

(2) The most appropriate means for the planning, delivery and
evaluation of existing and needed programs and services for
minority groups in the manner that best promotes diversity and
regional, cultural and ethnic sensitivity;

(3) Recommendations for the coordination of programs and
services to minority groups throughout the state and with those of
other states and the federal government;

(4) Identifications of governmental and private agencies,
offices, departments or other entities in existence or recommended
for creation that would, alone or in concert, most effectively
improve the delivery of programs and services to minority groups
throughout the state;

(5) Recommendations for changes to law that would facilitate
the achievement of the objectives of the office; and

(6) Such other matters as the office may determine appropriate
to its purposes.

(c) The Governor shall appoint an executive director of the
office to carry out its functions, and shall provide funding and
offices for those purposes. The executive director shall serve at
the will and pleasure of the Governor.

(d) The executive director may hire one administrative
assistant to assist in carrying out the functions of the office.
Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2015 Regular Session
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